February 01st – Crew changes in Argentina


February 01st 2022

Crew changes in Argentina

National Holidays: Monday, February 28th and Tuesday March 01st, Carnival

Grains Markets and Trading:

Processed barley (as malt) is the latest boom. The malting plants in Argentina are now working at full capacity. The total processed during 2021 was 1.1 million tons, of which 614 thousand were destined for export. For 2022 this figure is to increase on the back of a record crop. About half of the production is destined for export, mainly Brazil and with the “hoped for” lifting of the flag waiver restriction due to start on February 05th a more dynamic market may develop.

Soybean oil sales from Upriver to India are expected to increase given restrictions on palm oil exports from Indonesia.

Garbage Control

Garbage Control in Argentina has reverted from Coast Guard back to SENASA. Coast Guard inspections were “benevolent” and infrequent, usually incorporated into PSC under MARPOL guidelines. With a return to SENASA there may be more frequent inspections. Masters are encouraged to pay special attention to stored quantities and securing of the garbage containers. These items were subject to special scrutiny by inspectors. The situation is being monitored closely and Masters will be pre-advised.

Tugboat service: Tugboats have returned to a “work to rule” after the expiry of the mandatory truce imposed by the Ministry of Labor. In Bahia Blanca and Necochea they work for 12 hours per day (every day) which start counting from the first service rendered.


Covid-19 in Argentina:
New reported Covid cases today, Tuesday 10st, are 49,122. The amount of reported “new” cases is dropping significantly. The horizon is not yet clear but it is clarifying.

Flag waiver Arg-Brazil: As we have informed previously the requirement for flag waivers on cargoes carried on trade between Argentina and Brazil (and vice versa) should be lifted as from February 05th 2022. This was needed because of an agreement/treaty in place since the mid-80s. Middle of 2021 year the Brazilian Government denounced this treaty and as per the terms agreed it will be lifted as of February 05th 2022. In the meantime the “affected” parties have been placing pressure and looking for manners to keep their privileges. Due to this pressure it may result that there will be some and possible regulatory backlash prior to February 2022. We shall keep you posted on developments.

Crew changes in Argentina are not yet straight forward:

ON-SIGNERS and OFF SIGNERS: A situation has arisen between Government entities that has effectively complicated crew change issue.

To all intents and purposes crew will only be allowed to disembark when a serious medical issue happens.

In such a case a medical board will evaluate the situation and decide, but once again, crew changes are becoming very complicated to perform.

PLEASE CONSULT US PRIOR COMMENCING PROCEDURES ESPECIALLY FOR OFF-SIGNERS.

Crew changes made at foreign port/s 14 days prior arrival at Argentine ports: Besides many other documents and certificates, these below are of special concern:

-Owner’s Crew changes protocol at foreign countries.

-Owner’s note (with signature and stamp of the Captain and Owners company) clarifying that the crew change was carried out taking all due precautions, etc.

-Medical certificate issued by certified professional in the country where the crew joined, not the country of origin.

-Covid test, PCR, for on-signers at port of boarding (not country of origin).

Lacking any of above (besides all usual documents) pilots will not be allowed to board until a 14 day period is counted starting from the moment the last crew-member has boarded.

Will keep you posted.

Best regards,

Antares Servicios Maritimos S.A.

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